(Yicai Global) Sept. 2 -- Visitors to the second China International Import Expo will be able to step into the future of autonomous driving at a newly added exhibition area.

The 25,000-square meter area will have driverless vehicles from about 20 firms and each experience will last for five minutes, the Shanghai Observer reported, citing Li Lin, deputy chief engineer of a bureau under the Shanghai International Motor City which runs the CIIE auto area. The exhibition will have an online booking system to prevent long lines.

The CIIE, held in Shanghai in November, will offer more than the World Artificial Intelligence Conference, which closed on Aug. 31, as the expo will place focus on integrating fifth-generation wireless networks with autonomous driving, according to Li. 

The crew will set up test roads, including traffic lights and obstacles, so that passengers can experience the performance of the vehicles in lifelike road conditions, Li said. 

The roads will also have smart features. "We have installed 5G hotspots and road sensors in the experience area, which is like equipping the road with glasses," Li added. The staff started to work on the area in June.

Editor: Emmi Laine